Is it safe to visit the Riviera Maya?

A look at the numbers shows that Cancun, along with the entire Riviera Maya, is as safe to visit as it's always been. The violence surrounding the Mexican government's ongoing crackdown on drug cartels has led the U.S. State Department to advise against all unnecessary travel to 14 of Mexico's 31 states, including Chihuahua, Coahulia, Durango and Tamaulipas, all in the north. However, recent FBI crime statistics suggest that Americans are actually safer in Mexico than in many parts of the United States. (New Orleans' homicide rate is close to triple that of Mexico's national rate; even Orlando had a higher murder rate in 2010 than Cancun.) That said, the rule of thumb when traveling anywhere abroad: Be safe, be smart — but don't be paranoid — and be mindful not to wear flashy jewelry or brand-name accessories that call attention to yourself.